October heat is described as a distinctive weather phenomenon that follows the rainy season, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions like India .It is characterized by high levels of moisture from the monsoon combined with high temperatures and little to no rain. This is from September 22 to December 21.
According to Ayurveda, it comes under sharad ritucharya,the person accustomed to the cold atmosphere during varsha ritu get suddenly exposed to the warm rays of sun, the pitta which has undergone increase in varsha(rainy season) become greatly aggravated during Sharad ritu( autumn).
Strength of an individual: medium
DIET ROUTINE:
- RASAS(TASTES): Madhura(sweet) along with little bitter in taste, Kashaya(astringent )
- Quality: Easy to digest, cooling, appropriate quantity as per appetite.
COOLING FOODS TO BALANCE PITTA:
- FRUITS: Sweet and juicy ones like Pomegranate, Pear, banana, water melon ,grapes ,papaya ,custard apple ,coconut ,sugarcane.
- GRAINS: Rice, wheat, barley ,oats,Jowar
- PULSES: Green gram ,red lentils
- HERBS AND SPICES: Use a minimal quantity of spices. Coriander, cardamom , mint ,cumin, fenugreek, curry leaves, bay leaves can be used.
- VEGETABLES: Bottle gourd, lady’s finger, snake gourd ,cucumber , pumpkin ,bottlegourds, Leafy vegetables(amaranthus)
- DAIRY: Fresh cow’s milk, ghee and buttermilk.
All these help reduce pitta doshas and cool the body.
- CLEANSING DRINKS:
- AMLA JUICE: Rich in Vitamin C
- JEERA (Cumin ) water
- COCONUT WATER:hydrates
- CORIANDER –FENNEL WATER: Soak overnight ,boil slightly and sip throughout the day
(avoid cold water,fizzy drinks,alcohol,or excessive caffeine)
- SWEETS:
Ayurveda suggests eating food that is sweet in taste , this is the favorite season for those with a sweet taste.
- Pudding prepared from rice or rava, dudhi halva,gulab jamun, modak from coconut and rice, moong dal laddo.
- Drink milk processed with sugar,kesar kept under moonlight.
CALMING MEAL IDEAS:
MORNING:
- Luke warms with a few drops of lemon or a pinch of turmeric. Or sip coriander-fennel-cumin water
- Seasonal fruits (pomegranate, papaya, pear,watermelon) .
- Bhakri (made of jowar).
Practice gentle stretching or yoga. (Avoid tea, coffee on an empty stomach.
IN BETWEEN:
Cucumber juice
LUNCH
- Steamed red rice /white with moong dal khichdi or vegetable stew.
- Bottleguard or ash gourd curry.
- Salads with cucumber, spinach, coriander leaves, green gram sprout, bottle gourd (avoid raw onion,chili,vinegar)
- Buttermilk with roasted cumin.
- Small spoon of ghee
(avoid fried spicy or sour foods- that causes heat and increase pitta)
EVENING:
- Herbal tea with mint or tulsi
- Handful of soaked almond or raisins
- Fruits like pear or guava.
DINNER
- Light vegetable soup or millet porridge
- Kanji with green gram
- Steamed vegetables with ghee and mild spices
BED TIME: Warm milk with cardamom or a pinch of nutmeg for calm sleep.
Drinking water can be cultured with cooling herbs such as vetiver and sandal wood can be used.
- Avoid heavy or spicy food
- Drink plenty of water
- Do mild exercises early morning and evening.
- Practice meditation, mild yoga,pranayama(shitali,shitkari pranayama) which calms,cools the body and mind.
- Avoid curd or cold milk at night.
ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDED DURING THIS TIME:
- Wear either cotton or silk clothes that are not very tight and are light in color.
- Natural fragrances made from cooling flowers and herbs or their essential oil are the best way to reduce pitta doshas.
- Keep natural rose or jasmine flowers in the house
- Sitting in moonlight, in the late evenings and avoiding the strong sun at day time are recommended.
- Spent on the terrace of white painted house
- Anointing the body with paste of sandal wood, Ushira (khus khus grass),camphor
- Wear garland of pearls
SHITALI PRANAYAMA: Cools internal heat, balances emotions and refreshes natural wellness.
PANCHAKARMA :
- Snehapana with ghee of tikta (bitter) drugs.
- Virechana (purgation)
- Rakta mokshana-Blood letting
These all can be resorted to according to doctor’s guidance.
FOLLOWING ARE TO BE AVOIDED:
- Exposure to fog
- Alkalis
- Heavy, spicy ,sour food
- Curd
- Oil
- Muscle fat(vasa)
- Exposure to sunlight
- Tikshna madya( Strong alcoholic beverages)
- Sleeping during day time
- Exposure to eastern wind
- Heavy exercises
AYURVEDA HERBS FOR COOLING & CLEANSING:
- AMLA: rejuvenates and cools
- GUDUCHI: detoxifies blood
- NEEM: purifies skin
- SHATAVARI: calms the mind and nourishes tissues
- TRIPHALA:gentle daily cleanser
LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR OCTOBER HEAT:
- Stay indoors during peak sun(12-3pm)
- Avoid anger, over work and over exertion- these increase pitta.
- Do gentle yoga, meditation or moon gazing to calm and cool your mind.
- Use coconut oil or sandalwood oil for cooling abhyanga (self massage)
- Wear light cotton clothes and increase water intake.
- Regularly doing padabhyanga expels excess heat from the body.
October is nature’s invitation to slow down and reset. By eating ,cooling foods, hydrating well and embracing calm routines ,you can help your body transition from fiery pitta season to grounding vata season with ease.
Let’s cool, cleanse, and calm the body to cope with this season at AGNI AYURVEDA VILLAGE, an authentic ayurvedic treatment centre offering specialized panchakarma treatment in Mumbai, to restore your inner glow before winter begins.
Dr Ardhra Prabhan